CHARGERS NOTES: McNeill getting antsy to return

SCOTT BAIR - sbair@nctimes.com

Chargers left tackle Marcus McNeill is just over a week awayfrom returning to action, but he wishes it were tomorrow.

McNeill is forced to skip three games while he's on the roster
exempt list, a designation the Chargers chose to give him while he
withheld services in protest of his contract status. He signed his
contract tender Sept. 25, and has been brushing up on his technique
in the down time before he's eligible to return Oct. 17 at St.
Louis.

"I'm definitely ready to go," McNeill said Thursday. "I was
training pretty hard while I was away. I didn't think the physical
stuff would be a problem, and it hasn't been. There has been some
technical stuff to work on, because there's a huge difference
between hitting bags and hitting people."

In addition to individual work, McNeill has been able to watchrookie running back Ryan Mathews practice in person for the firsttime. That has only increased his excitement to return.

"I was away, so the only thing I saw of Ryan Mathews was on
YouTube highlights," McNeill said. "I've been excited to work with
him since I saw him on the Internet, and he's more impressive in
person. He has a ton of potential, and I want to help him reach
that."

While McNeill believes he's ready to play, he didn't display
frustration with his roster-exempt status and the three-game
suspension that comes with it.

"I think I needed this time to get acclimated back to football,"
McNeill said. "I'm getting antsy and I'm definitely ready to play
again, but that will come in time."

Injuries update

Inside linebacker Brandon Siler missed his second straightpractice with a foot ailment that he has played through for a fewweeks, and outside linebacker Shawne Merriman was also limited witha calf strain, leaving them questionable to play Sunday.

"Anyone who is either limited in practice or is not able topractice on Thursday, you have concerns about," Chargers coach Norv
Turner said.